Villarreal defender Jaume Costa. (Photo : Getty Images)
Champions League qualifiers Villarreal CF (1-0-2, 5 points) will look to keep their unbeaten record intact as they face middling squad Real Sociedad in their home stadium of Estadio El Madrigal on Sep. 18, Saturday as the 2016-2017 La Liga season goes on.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 12:30 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
Villarreal finished last season among the big boys at the fourth spot of the Spanish top flight table to gain a spot in the Champions League playoff round this term. They began the season quite well with two straight draws to start and a win in week 3.
El Submarino Amarillo blanked Malaga, 2-0, in their most recent game last Saturday on the road at the Estadio La Rosaleda to stay undefeated in three games, as per SkySports.
Spanish defender Jaume Costa broke the game's deadlock at the 33rd minute with a left-footer from the center box as he directed the cross of Colombian teammate Rafael Santos Borré towards the net of Malaga keeper Carlos Kameni.
Head coach Fran Escribá's boys then doubled their lead with a minute left before the interval, via an individual goal from Italian striker Nicola Sansone.
It was the first win of the season for Villarreal, who also pulled off its second consecutive clean sheet of the season.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad opened the term with a 0-3 loss to powerhouse Real Madrid before routing newly-promoted side Osasuna in their second game, 2-0.
Their last game ended in a 1-1 draw with Espanyol at the Anoeta Stadium last Friday, the Latin American Herald Tribune reported.
Following a goalless first half, Espanyol drew first blood at the 62nd minute with a right-footer from Argentine midfielder Pablo Piatti from outside of the box.
However, Txuriurdin was able to find the equalizer at the 78th as Brazilian striker Willian Jose successfully headed defender Joseba Zaldua's cross towards the net of Espanyol goalie Diego Lopez.
The score remained the same as time expired even when midfielder Javi Fuego of the visitors was sent off in injury time.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a 1-0 decision for Villarreal.
Villarreal starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Ruiz, Costa; Castillejo, Trigueros, Bruno, Soriano; Sansone, Borre
Real Sociedad starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Rulli; Zaldua, Gonzalez, Martinez, Berchiche; Pardo, Illarramendi, Zurutuza; Oyarzabal, Jose, Juanmi
